At least five minors 17-19 years of age were caught by Russellville police June 12 attempting to spray paint graffiti on top of the West Main Avenue 500 building.

R.D. Walker, owner of C&D Drug Store, reported Thursday graffiti was painted on the side of his building the same night. Walker said the repair for such damage could cost as much as $1,000.

“Fortunately, it wasn’t something obscene,” Walker said. “I wished they would have come to me; I would like to have a Dr Pepper or Coke sign painted there.

“We’re lucky not to have more. It could have been worse.”

This [C&D Drug Store] is the only incident of graffiti in the downtown area in recent months, Russellville Police Department public information officer Drew Latch said June 14. He also said there is not a major issue with graffiti within the city.

The vandals made their attempt in the middle of the night last Wednesday, according to 500 Building and Coldwell Banker Realestate Agency owner, James R. Ford.

“One of my tenants, Kim Hill, told me it happened in the middle of the night,” he said.

Hill said the vandals gained access to the roof by pulling down the emergency fire escape ladder.

“They spray painted L.A. Coast and other characters I couldn’t read or understand,” Hill said. “There was some graffiti up there prior to this.”

Ford said the problem may be growing.

“There is more to the issue of graffiti than police are letting people know about,” Ford said. “Although it’s not very hard to do, the graffiti is expensive to cover up.

“I have had several other properties affected by this issue in Pope and Yell County.”

Another building located downtown received some unwanted artwork in recent days as well. The spokesperson wished to remain anonymous.

“If we give attention in the newspaper to these vandals it only provokes an unwanted response,” a spokesperson for the tenant of that building said.

Russellville Police Capt. David Davis did not return calls made Monday and Tuesday by The Courier for comments concerning this issue.